Evan Richardson, University of Cincinnati student (Highlands 2016 graduate), will attempt to break the United States USPA raw bench press and deadlift records at the Ohio Powerlifting Championships in Frankin, Ohio on October 22, 2016. He is competing in the Junior 18-19 age category in the 242 lb. weight division.

 

Current records are: bench 402.25 and deadlift 705.5.

I would have thought both records would have been higher than that.

I go back and forth on that. At first glance 402 sounds light. Then, I think it is a record for 18 and 19 year olds. Also, they have to maintain great form, pause, and press on command. I have been in a lot of gyms and haven't seen many 19 year olds have complete command of 400 on the bench doing pauses. But you are right, it is a national record and should be higher. After October 22 the bench press number will be in the 460 or 470s. If he breaks the deadlift record by a kilo it will be a good day. 700 is a lot of weight to pull with no equipment.

It was more the weight class that made me think it would be higher. You have a good point on the form and pause. A lot of the monster lifts you see would never pass as legit in comp. good luck to the young man, keep us posted.

Evan Richardson broke the USPA KY record with a bench press of 195 kg (429.9 lbs.). National record is 490.5 lbs. for the raw 242 lbs. junior division 18-19. He did not deadlift due to illness.

Evan Richardson broke the USPA KY record with a bench press of 195 kg (429.9 lbs.). National record is 490.5 lbs. for the raw 242 lbs. junior division 18-19. He did not deadlift due to illness.

Did someone recently set these records as they are higher than what you listed in the OP. Great job by the young man. 429lb bench is very impressive.

At the USPA website there are two bench press records. One is for combined bench, squat, and deadlift. One is for bench only. I read the combined number and did not realize there was a bench only number. The bench only number is the higher and true number for the record. 490.5 lbs. sounds more like it.